Dear CareerBabe:

I have been an Executive Assistant to the CIO - Chief Information Officer - at a Manhattan investment bank for almost 10 years and have been with my current employer for almost 3. In order to negotiate for a larger raise and/or bonus, my boss has asked me to supply documentation proving that I am not making an above average salary compared to others doing similar work.

A survey of all secretarial salaries in NYC would most likely show that I'm doing better than average. But, considering the expectations of this firm in addition to the fact that I am not really a secretary but a technical professional, leads me to expect otherwise. How can I find the documentation which would support my belief that I should be making more money?

Dear Manhattan:

If you remember, considering today's valuations, Peter Minuit sold Manhattan at a grossly undervalued price of $24. However, that was then and this is now.

From your description, I am not sure if the problem doesn't really involve your job title and classification. If you are classified as a secretary, then your boss - and your assumption - are probably correct that you are doing better than average for that job classification. If, however, you are not really a secretary but "something" else, then I would advise trying to get the position "re-classified" so that the pay structure changes right along with the job's responsibilities and title. Do not, however, expect the title to change and the pay to remain the same if the responsibilities themselves remain the same.